Apr 11, 2001 - New Belgium Brewing's second Tour de Fat begins April 21 in Lawrence, Kan., and continues until November in Austin, Texas. Tour de Fat is a non-competitive, ballyhoo of bikes and beer offering bike games, a non-profit open forum, a vintage bike show, live music, good food, and the Colorado brewery's Belgian style ales, including their flagship brew Fat Tire Amber Ale. All Tour de Fat proceeds go to local charities.

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Tour de Fat kicks off early this year with spring events in Lawrence on April 21 and St. Louis on April 29. The first event is in Lawrence's Burcham Park, and festival attendees can ride to and from Tour de Fat via the Riverfront Bike Trail. April 29 the Tour hits historic Route 66 at the world's longest bicycle/pedestrian bridge, the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge in St. Louis.

Each Tour de Fat festival begins with morning group rides for all types of bikes and riders. That's followed by an opprotunity for local vintage bike collectors display their beauties.

This year, each Tour de Fat will feature four cruiser bike games: 1) The Slow Race: participants get a shot at winning a rose bush at the end of the day if they get the slowest time in this purposely laggard anti-race. 2) Dual Keg Slalom: this game was perfected in the New Belgium warehouse. 3) Ghost Ride: remember heaving your bike down the street without you on it? Check your accuracy again at the Ghost Ride. 4) Paperboy Challenge: Test your skills delivering the news on their ever-challenging, newspaper throwing, bike riding obstacle course. Festival attendees will have the chance to win a variety of New Belgium prizes including their own special edition NBB cruiser bicycle.